Aurora in the southern states

[VK1JA]

G'day All,

Reports are saying that Aurora was visible from Canberra and Sydney last night (22 June 2015), and furthermore, the Aurora forecast shows a very high probability for more for the next few days!

What's the chances of Aurora propagation in Canberra and Sydney on 6 and 2m over the next few days?

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/n ... =anonymous

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-new ... hv3ns.html

http://www.aurora-service.net/aurora-forecast/

Very interesting...

[VK4WDM]

I lived in Hobart for 14 years and worked as far as VK5 and northern VK2 on auroral back scatter. I found that the best technique was to aim about 20 degrees east or west of south, not directly south. Signals can sound very weird and chopped up and difficult to copy, even CW.

North American experience shows that auroral propagation extends a lot further south than the visible aurora so I would suggest that the those in the southern states should definitely give it a go.

73

Wayne VK4WDM

[VK3BJM]

Both VK7RAE and VK7RST 2 metre beacons were audible here this afternoon, via Aurora. Both between 54 to 55 in RS, but sounding nothing like what they do when direct - more like pulsed white noise.

VK5PJ was also heard calling CQ on 144.100 about 1 hour ago, at 534 (well, that's how I spotted him on the logger...)

Beacons not evident at the moment, but it comes and goes...

73,
Barry
VK3BJM

[VK4TIM]

I'd like to see the ZL4s (Invercargill) commission a high powered 6m and 2m analog/digital mode beacon, with high gain antennas pointing towards the south pole, for Auroral observations.

I've heard the former channel 1 TV 45.250 from Mt Hedgehope via combination of tropo and Aurora, once here in VK4. Wasn't strong but it could happen and the VK2/3/5/7s would probably have fun with beacons from ZL4 beaming south.

The ZL4s don't sem to give a rat for it though..

[ZL3ADT]

Tim

I have been very suprised since analog switch off how few the numbers of hams who have taken up 6m in the South Island.
With such short seasons on 6m I can understand why people dont give a rats.

Must be over 20 years since I have worked AU on 6m or 2m.

And I listen a lot.

73 Ross

[VK2AVR]

Ross our VHF/UHF field days are a good time (you are probably already aware). There have been E's interstate here both summer and winter, I use an inverted V on top of a 7 metre squid pole. The time before last, I had a ZL contact too.

The last field day (2 weeks ago) E's were brief, VK4 juuust came in. He was S7 for 1 over (after I got him) and then dropped away again. Probably not much chance for ZL. But you never know.

I don't get on 6m besides then but it seems to get a good amount of use on 50.150 during the VHF/UHF days.

[VK7XX]

there is a farce book page for anyone interested. https://www.facebook.com/groups/auroraaustralis/ it does have "Tasmania" in the site name, but it is for anyone interested.

73
John